St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace Fast Track Tour

See St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace on a 3-hour guided tour of Venice. Learn the history of the Venetian Republic at its 2 landmark monuments. Discover masterpieces of art, and walk the corridors of the Venetian doges.

About this activity

Duration 3 hours

Skip the line

Printed or mobile voucher accepted

Instant confirmation

Live tour guide

English

Cancellation policy

Cancel up to 3 days in advance for a full refund

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Experience

Highlights

Learn about the doges of the Venetian Empire in the Doge's Palace

Walk across the Bridge of Sighs from the inside

See more than 4,000 square meters of stunning mosaics

Admire frescoes by Veronese and Tintoretto

Learn about some of the famous prisoners of the Doge's Palace

Hear how Venice grew from a tiny island to become one of the great powers of the Mediterranean

Marvel at the Byzantine façade of St. Mark's Basilica

Enjoy special access to the 1st floor terrace of St. Mark's for panoramic views of the lagoon

Full description

Immerse yourself in the history of Venice on a 3-hour small group tour of the once-great maritime empire. Explore two of the floating city’s most important buildings: St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge's Palace.

Meet your guide in St. Mark’s Square, taking a moment to appreciate the space before entering St. Mark’s Basilica. Get an in-depth look at how Venice built a mercantile empire that once spanned the entire Mediterranean. Marvel at mosaics and other treasures as your guide explains how the city begged, borrowed and stole to grow from a tiny island to one of the great powers of the Middle Ages. Enjoy special access to the 1st floor terrace, where you can see the famous horses stolen from Constantinople during the 4th Crusade.

Next, skip the lines to the Doge’s Palace, and explore the political heart of the Venetian Empire for hundreds of years. Admire the opulent apartments and Hall of the Great Council where matters of state were decided under stunning frescoes by Veronese and Tintoretto. Continue to the armory and prisons and learn how grim life was for anyone unlucky enough to be taken prisoner. Discover the secret behind the mysterious black veil that interrupts the official series of Doge’s portraits.

End by walking across the Bridge of Sighs, and learn why this romantic icon has a darker history than you could ever imagine.

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Includes

Entrance to St. Mark's Basilica

Skip-the-line entrance to the Doge's Palace

Special access to the terraces in St. Mark's Basilica

Headsets (when needed)

Local guide

What’s Not Included

Gratuities

Hotel pick-up and drop off

When you get there

Meeting point

Meet just outside the entrance of the Correr Museum on Piazza San Marco, 30124. On St. Mark's square at the opposite side of the Basilica you will find the Correr Museum entrance underneath the portico.

• Please note, this tour cannot accommodate those in wheelchairs as the terrace of St. Mark's Basilica and the prisons and armory of the Doge's Palace are not wheelchair-accessible
• St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace can be subject to unforeseen closures due to liturgical celebrations. In the event the venue is closed, you will be given explanations from the outside
• Please remember that the Basilica is a holy place and attire must be appropriate: both men and women are asked to wear clothing that covers at least the shoulders and knees
• Backpacks are prohibited inside St. Mark's Basilica